How to: Install an Add A Leaf (W/ Pics)

nurseboy · 05-14-2009, 10:21 PM

would this clamps be strong enough to hold the leaf pack?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+90401+501411

RelentlessTaco · 05-15-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nurseboy

would this clamps be strong enough to hold the leaf pack?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+90401+501411

That link doesnt work, but as long as that is one of the larger heavy duty quick grips, then yes it should be. Thats what I used.

raiser1 · 05-18-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raiser1

Thanks for the info, I logged into Wheelers and started an online chat. I ended up getting the front and rear shocks as well as the AAL for $400 shipped! I mentioned the current $300 price at DSMS. I am extremely happy with the price and your recommendation to try them. It's not quite ebay prices, but better than any of the other places I found and 1-stop shopping.

They recommended that the single AAL for $77.50 adds ~400lbs capacity. He said that the 3-leaf $150 kit would reduce capacity and offer a smoother ride. This seemed kind of counter-intuitive to me, but I opted for the single leaf kit due to his recommendation.

Anyway, as of today (3 weeks later) Wheeler's STILL have not shipped my order! I only kept it open because I am not in a hurry and I wanted to get both the shocks and the AAL from the same place. Honestly, I don't think I will order from Wheelers ever again, not just the delay, but the lack of communication and concern regarding said delay.

nurseboy · 05-18-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raiser1

Anyway, as of today (3 weeks later) Wheeler's STILL have not shipped my order! I only kept it open because I am not in a hurry and I wanted to get both the shocks and the AAL from the same place. Honestly, I don't think I will order from Wheelers ever again, not just the delay, but the lack of communication and concern regarding said delay.

That is weird. Johnny has worked with me throughout the whole process of buying the Total Chaos Upper control Arms. He was the one that started the group buy here. When i first emailed him, I got a replay within a few hours and replied quick soon after. He was very good at explaining things and getting the info I need. I also got my items quick with an email of my tracking, so i knew exactly where my shipment was at.

RelentlessTaco · 05-18-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raiser1

Anyway, as of today (3 weeks later) Wheeler's STILL have not shipped my order! I only kept it open because I am not in a hurry and I wanted to get both the shocks and the AAL from the same place. Honestly, I don't think I will order from Wheelers ever again, not just the delay, but the lack of communication and concern regarding said delay.

WOW, that's really strange and unlike them. Wheeler's is usually really fast with orders. i'm really surprised that they didn't at least communicate the reason for said delay with you too.

Drklude · 05-30-2009, 05:31 PM

You said you broke one of the U bolts...where did you get a replacement? I did the same thing today.

RelentlessTaco · 05-30-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drklude

You said you broke one of the U bolts...where did you get a replacement? I did the same thing today.

I just went down to my local Napa Autoparts store. They were a little spendy, but I got some that were a thicker diameter, and a little longer for my 1" block. I'd say just about any auto parts store should have some in stock, or be able to get some for ya the next business day. Dont forget to specify whether their square or round though so they dont get the wrong ones.

Drklude · 05-30-2009, 06:13 PM

Yeah I went on an auto parts scavenger hunt today. All the places I went only had round ones. The Napa I went to had the square tops, but they were too wide. I think I'm just going to order some from Wheelers.

raiser1 · 06-01-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raiser1

Anyway, as of today (3 weeks later) Wheeler's STILL have not shipped my order! I only kept it open because I am not in a hurry and I wanted to get both the shocks and the AAL from the same place. Honestly, I don't think I will order from Wheelers ever again, not just the delay, but the lack of communication and concern regarding said delay.

Yet another update.

It appears that Bilstein is horking up distribution of the 5100 series shocks, at least as they apply to 2nd Gen Tacomas. Anyone know what's going on at Bilstein?. As of last week DSM (Downsouth) received a shipment of Tacoma Bilstein 5100s and I placed an order with them and cancelled the still outstanding order with Wheelers (no stock for over a month). The price was relatively the same as I had to pay CA sales tax, but they offer free shipping, so it was a wash. Unfortunately DSM was out of the AAL, so here I am waiting again for (hopefully) shipment this week.

I've never found it so difficult to spend $400 in all my life...

hendooman · 06-16-2009, 06:44 PM

Holy thread revival...

Is a alignment needed after an aal?

RelentlessTaco · 06-16-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hendooman

Holy thread revival...

Is a alignment needed after an aal?

no, you shouldn't notice any difference. I guess it will alter the caster of the front suspension by changing the rake of the truck, but that isnt a wear angle for tires and on the lifted Tacomas the shops usually cant get the caster into spec without a set of aftermarket UCAs anyways.

raiser1 · 06-17-2009, 11:40 AM

So Monday my neighbor (mechanic with tools) and I installed the Fabtec rear AAL to the stock TRD springs (no TSB, OOW) and the 5100s to the rear which added 2.25" of lift from stock. Then we added the 5100s to the front set at 1.75" lift, keeping the front a little lower than the rear to account for settling and any loads in the bed. We used the Auto-Zone Spring compressors @ $50 a pair, full refund in 2 days. You SHOULD have an Impact wrench (impact hammer) to do this job, I wouldn't try it without.

Overall took 5 hours, and only one mishap where the coil-spring retainer clip on the front drivers side shock popped out as we were jimmying the shock into place. Fortunately the coil didn't hit anyone or anything and only managed to scuff up the nice Bilstein stickers on the shocks. Scary!

Ride is nice and firm now, corners better but much bouncier on speed bumps and the like. Can't wait to get the bike in the bed... And maybe put some new tires on it.

If anyone is interested in Toyota OEM TRD Bilstein shocks all around PM me an offer before I clean them up and put them on ebay.

r12rex · 06-25-2009, 02:40 PM

Thanks I needed this!

wow · 07-06-2009, 04:53 PM

what tsb? you mean besides the fram tsb toyota will pay to install a aal in a 1998 toyota tacoma ??
Mike

wschaad · 08-13-2009, 04:38 AM

When replacing the rear springs, what's to prevent the rear axle from getting out of line (not square to the front axle and running dog legged)?

RelentlessTaco · 08-13-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wschaad

When replacing the rear springs, what's to prevent the rear axle from getting out of line (not square to the front axle and running dog legged)?

The leaf pack has the centering bolt which you tighten down to hold the leaves together.... The head of this bolt is positioned on the lower side of the leaf pack(because bolt gets inserted through the leaves from the bottom, to the top) and there is a hole in the leaf perch on the axle which the bolt head fits into and positions the axle. Got it?

wschaad · 08-13-2009, 09:15 AM

ok, that's what I thought. HOWEVER, i've done just that, and my rear end is definitely still off somehow. Maybe an incorrect set of springs (either bad center point or wrong part number delivered)? It was a bit of a challenge getting the center bolt in to the spot for it on the axle. How else could the axle?

Thanks for the reply

05-14-2009, 10:21 PM	#41
nurseboy Senior Member Joined: Dec 2008, #11894 Location: Moreno Valley, Ca Gender: Male Posts: 251	would this clamps be strong enough to hold the leaf pack? http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+90401+501411 __________________ 1999 Honda Prelude Type SH - SOLD 2009 Toyota Tacoma DBL Cab 4x4 with SR5, JBL system and tow package -OEM roof rack, OEM bed mat, All weather floor mats, Toytecs 3inch Ultimate Lift Kit, Total Chaos UC

08-13-2009, 04:38 AM	#55
wschaad Junior Member Name: Will Joined: Aug 2009, #21116 Location: indiana Gender: Male Posts: 2 2000 tacoma 4x4 2000 Regular Cab Manual	Install Question When replacing the rear springs, what's to prevent the rear axle from getting out of line (not square to the front axle and running dog legged)?

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05-30-2009, 05:31 PM	#46
Drklude Junior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #9705 Posts: 14 2000 SR5 2000 Xtra Cab Automatic	You said you broke one of the U bolts...where did you get a replacement? I did the same thing today.

05-30-2009, 06:13 PM	#48
Drklude Junior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #9705 Posts: 14 2000 SR5 2000 Xtra Cab Automatic	Yeah I went on an auto parts scavenger hunt today. All the places I went only had round ones. The Napa I went to had the square tops, but they were too wide. I think I'm just going to order some from Wheelers.

06-16-2009, 06:44 PM	#50
hendooman Senior Member Name: Jeff Joined: Mar 2009, #14421 Location: KANSAS USA Age: 38 Gender: Male Posts: 1,046 09 Tacoma TRD DC, 4X4, TRD OFF ROAD 2009 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 billies at 1.75, tsb, lots of raam audio on all four doors, infiniti front components, jl audio rear doors, 4 extra d-rings, 100% de-badged, HID Fogs, UWS Toolbx, Color matched front and rear bumbers. Amsoil 0W-30. Lots more to come...	Holy thread revival... Is a alignment needed after an aal?

06-17-2009, 11:40 AM	#52
raiser1 Junior Member Joined: Mar 2009, #14986 Location: Orange County, CA Age: 37 Gender: Male Posts: 11 07 V6 PreRunner SR5 Sport Double Cab Long Bed 2007 Double Cab Automatic V6 links to come: Army Surplus Bed D-Rings Axxess ipod/aux interface Bed Storage Combi-locks Wal-Mart Tailgate savers Wal-Mart Floor Mats (mine came without)	So Monday my neighbor (mechanic with tools) and I installed the Fabtec rear AAL to the stock TRD springs (no TSB, OOW) and the 5100s to the rear which added 2.25" of lift from stock. Then we added the 5100s to the front set at 1.75" lift, keeping the front a little lower than the rear to account for settling and any loads in the bed. We used the Auto-Zone Spring compressors @ $50 a pair, full refund in 2 days. You SHOULD have an Impact wrench (impact hammer) to do this job, I wouldn't try it without. Overall took 5 hours, and only one mishap where the coil-spring retainer clip on the front drivers side shock popped out as we were jimmying the shock into place. Fortunately the coil didn't hit anyone or anything and only managed to scuff up the nice Bilstein stickers on the shocks. Scary! Ride is nice and firm now, corners better but much bouncier on speed bumps and the like. Can't wait to get the bike in the bed... And maybe put some new tires on it. If anyone is interested in Toyota OEM TRD Bilstein shocks all around PM me an offer before I clean them up and put them on ebay.

06-25-2009, 02:40 PM	#53
r12rex Senior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #9759 Gender: Male Posts: 307	Thanks I needed this!

07-06-2009, 04:53 PM	#54
wow Junior Member Joined: Jun 2009, #18851 Location: falls church virginia Gender: Male Posts: 9 1998 trd tacoma 1998 Xtra Cab Manual	what tsb? you mean besides the fram tsb toyota will pay to install a aal in a 1998 toyota tacoma ?? Mike

08-13-2009, 09:15 AM	#57
wschaad Junior Member Name: Will Joined: Aug 2009, #21116 Location: indiana Gender: Male Posts: 2 2000 tacoma 4x4 2000 Regular Cab Manual	ok, that's what I thought. HOWEVER, i've done just that, and my rear end is definitely still off somehow. Maybe an incorrect set of springs (either bad center point or wrong part number delivered)? It was a bit of a challenge getting the center bolt in to the spot for it on the axle. How else could the axle? Thanks for the reply